WellingtonEat & Drink
Barstaff at Plonk mkaing cocktails, there is a large shelf full of drinks behind them and yellow lighting surrounds.

Plonk

  • Location

    36 Customhouse Quay, Wellington

  • Website

    Plonk

Standing one block back from Wellington Harbour, Plonk provides an oasis of breezy sophistication to counter the busy road outside.

A fun, low-key, intimate atmosphere was the aim of the creators of Plonk. Sitting on a busy inner-city road and surrounded by office blocks, the bar and eatery fills a gap in the market. “We reckon there was a bit of fun missing from this end of town and wanted to entice people to stay around after work,” says creative director and chef James Pask.

It’s not just the after-work drinks crowd that Plonk attracts. The menu appeals to serious foodies, and the evening sounds encourage live music lovers.

The exterior looking into Plonk, with the very large blue decal on the window that says PLONK. Red and yellow lights come from inside.
A cozy seating corner inside Plonk, with LED strip lighting in red and yellow, and carpeted floors next to the tiled ground underneath customers sitting at tables.
The interior of Plonk under low light, customers sit in the background enjoying their meals and bar staff serve drinks in the front.

James describes the eatery as a ‘bistrotheque’ — it’s an indication of the cheerful and irreverent approach Plonk takes. A mix of bistro and discotheque — you can attend to hear some great DJs live and choose from some seriously good snacks. You can expect some French classics, but the kitchen will give them some unexpected twists to freshen them and surprise you. Coq au vin is served on very untraditional skewers, and you’ll find yakitori treated similarly.

The freedom from tradition allows Plonk to focus the menu on share-plates. It feeds into the philosophy of providing serious food in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is constantly evolving but some things will make regular appearances. The venison sausages are made in-house as is the mustard. Their popularity is already established.

Plonk’s wine cellar is extensive with an ever-changing list of options. You’ll get local and international wines and some real surprises. “From our previous ventures, we’ve built up a top-notch wine selection. There are bin ends in the cellar, and you can order something potluck,” says James. Take your chances on a blind order and end up with a vintage claret or some other rarity.

For great live music, food, and a quality bottle of plonk head into the city and plonk yourself down in a seat.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Two bar staff pour drinks at Puffin Wine Bar in dim lighting.

Puffin

A dark and mysterious, art-filled corridor leads to a stylish wine bar.

Inside Rosella restaurant and bar. The large window on the ground floor lets in plenty of light with seats lining a narrow bench along the window.

Rosella Wine Bar

With a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, this Mount Victoria charmer is a quality dinner choice.

bartender pouring a glass of red wine to 4 customers sitting down and enjoying their food and drinks inside the Runholder.

The Runholder

Encompassing a restaurant, tasting room, cellar door, distillery, and barrel hall space, The Runholder offers an exquisite hospitality experience in Martinborough.

2 customers sniff their wine at Karahui wine bar.

Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery

Come together at this Martinborough restaurant, where an old bank has been transformed with classic, contemporary flair.

The exterior of a busy wine bar and restaurant with patrons filling both interior and exterior seating.

Noble Rot Wine Bar

Behind a distinctive red brick façade on Swan Lane, you’ll find exceptional cuisine and a vast wine collection. 

The interior of Graze Wine Bar with bar staff behind the bar.

Graze Wine Bar

Nestled in Kelburn village, Graze is a sustainably focused wine bar that’s sure to become your new local.

The exteriror of Margot in Newtown. it is painted black with a red door and cover over thr window. Their sign sits on the window as well as a smell decal on the door that says Come as you are.

Margot

You’ll feel right at home at this cosy Newtown spot that’s part restaurant, part wine bar.

The interior of Kisa, a Mediterranean restaurant on Cuba Street in Te Aro, Wellington.

Kisa

Inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine with a large Turkish influence, Kisa’s food is jam-packed with flavour.

Over the shoulder look at a person holding chopsticks with food from Apache, smiling and getting ready to eat.

Apachè

A modern take on popular Northern Vietnamese hawker street food, with a touch of French influence.

The storefront of Liberty, a restaurant in Te Aro Wellington. It's a white building with black accents and six circular ceiling lights.

Liberty

Made by a talented team of chefs, the dishes at Liberty are full of flavour and made to be shared.